Commissioners approve raise for ABC chair, e-cig ban

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County Commissioners today approved a raise for the head of the county’s Alcohol Beverage Control and banned e-cigarettes from county property.

The Consent Agenda for today’s commission meeting included a $7,000 raise for ABC CEO Dan Sykes. Sykes has been making $105,000 since he was hired in April 2010, except for a one-time $7,000 bonus he received in 2012. The commission has to approve raises for the CEO position, for whom the salary is restricted by the state ABC after issues that arose with former ABC chief Billy Williams and his pay.

Also at this morning’s meeting, commissioners also approved a ban on e-cigarettes and expanding the county’s restrictions on smoking. E-cigarettes and regular smoking products are now banned in county buildings and vehicles and within 50 feet of entrances to county buildings.